[Biocomplexity] DIVE IN TO "EXTREME 2003: TO THE DEPTHS OF DISCOVERY!"

[Tracey Bryant]

We are gearing up for Extreme 2003 -- a virtual field trip to the
ocean's depths -- in conjunction with Dr. Cary's Biocomplexity research
here at the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could pass this information on to
any middle- and high-school teachers you may know. Thanks! 

DIVE IN TO "EXTREME 2003: TO THE DEPTHS OF DISCOVERY!" 

Starting November 29, 2003, University of Delaware marine scientists
will lead a National Science Foundation expedition to hydrothermal
vents in the Pacific Ocean -- "Extreme 2003: To the Depths of Discovery"
-- and middle- and high-school classrooms around the nation are invited
to join them via a virtual field trip to the ocean floor.

Under the direction of Dr. Craig Cary, the research team will explore
the vents and the organisms that inhabit them, including the Pompeii
worm, one of the “hottest” animals on the planet. The fleecy, 4-inch
worm can withstand temperatures up to 80°C/176°F. Working aboard the
submersible ALVIN and research vessel ATLANTIS, the scientists will
explore how vent life can survive the extreme temperatures, toxic
chemistry, and pressure at the vents.  

With support from NSF and NOAA Sea Grant, the University of Delaware
will offer participating teachers free classroom materials about the
deep sea, including full-color student resource guides, supplementary
curricula, a documentary video produced by PBS station WHYY-TV
(Wilmington/Philadelphia), and an interactive Web site that will be
updated daily during the 22-day expedition with journals, photos and
video clips from the seafloor, interviews, Extreme Experiments, and
other neat information.

Also, 50 classrooms will be selected to participate in live conference
phone calls with the scientists as they conduct research in ALVIN on the
seafloor. 

Registrations for this award-winning educational program are being
accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To register your class,
sign up today at http://www.ocean.udel.edu/expeditions 

For more information, contact Tracey Bryant, Director, UD Marine Public
Education Office, Graduate College of Marine Studies (tbryant at udel.edu).
We look forward to welcoming you aboard!